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WATER
QUALITY
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BLANCO RIVER CYPRESS, CREEK WATER QUALITY STUDY
Study Partners-
Village of Wimberley,
Guadalupe Blanco River Authority ,
Wimberley Valley Watershed Association
The Village of Wimberley (VOW) has determined that managing water resources is of paramount importance for the continued health and welfare of local citizens and our local economy. Wimberley’s natural beauty and attractiveness for both tourism and residential development is centered on the Cypress Creek and the Blanco River. Both of these waterways are supported by spring flow from the Trinity Aquifer. All drinking water in the Wimberley Valley except those on rainwater collection systems, comes from local groundwater aquifers. Portions of the incorporated City are in the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. All of Wimberley is within the Contributing Zone for the Edwards Aquifer.
The purpose of the Blanco River-Cypress Creek Water Quality Monitoring Plan is to be proactive in protecting the Village of Wimberley’s water resources. Through collecting water quality data and analyzing pollution threats the VOW will develop an informed position to establish a specific long-term strategy for protection of ground and surface water in the Wimberley Valley.
Sampling completed for the Village of Wimberley will be common for all sites and include field measurements, routine water chemistry, field observations and bacterial analysis. The goals of the following sampling regime are to protect, preserve and restore surface and groundwater resources within the applicable areas of the Blanco River basin. The objectives of monitoring these parameters are to detect and describe spatial and temporal changes, determine impacts of point and nonpoint sources, and assess compliance with established water quality standards for Cypress Creek and Blanco River.
Goals
· Establishing a baseline of the water quality data for the Cypress Creek and the Blanco River.
· Identify any specific pollution problems that may be a threat to native aquatic species of concern, contact recreation and human health.
· Detect and describe the spatial and temporal changes, determine impacts of point and non-point source pollution, and assess compliance with established water quality standards for Cypress Creek and Blanco River and the impacts on fish and wildlife populations and habitat.
· Educate the Water and Wastewater Advisory Board the Village of Wimberley Council and the local community about the findings of the study and provide recommendations for local planning efforts to protect water quality.
2003 DATA SUMMARY
SITE NAME: CYPRESS CREEK AT JACOBS WELL
Site ID Number: 12677
Sample Order: 1 of 6
Stat D.O. Water Temp pH SC Fecal E.coli AMMONIA Total P P04 N03 TDS
(mg/L) (°C) (s.u) (mhos/cm) colonies colonies (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)
mean 5.92 20.17 6.94 570 1 4.45 0.02 0.04 0.051 0.319 333.3
min 4.31 17.72 6.74 479 1 1 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.03 316
max 7.56 20.9 7.2 594 1 20 0.02 0.08 0.4 0.51 356
Area land use is predominantly residential, and this site is heavily used for contact recreation. Channel width is approximately four meters. The average depth (not including well depth values) is .8 meters. Conditions are significantly influenced by groundwater flows from the Trinity Aquifer through Jacobs Well. Substrate and surface algae coverage has increased from approximately 15% to 35% at the spring during study period. Substrate and surface algae coverage has increased from approximately 30% to 50% upstream of the spring during study period.
Water chemistry values demonstrate “typical” conditions associated with significant groundwater flows:
· pH values are lowest
· Specific conductivity values are highest
· Dissolved oxygen values are slightly lower
· Indicator bacteria values are lowest
· P04 and N03 are highest
SITE NAME: CYPRESS CREEK AT RR12 (NORTH)
Site ID Number: 12676
Sample Order: 2 of 6
Stat D.O. Water Temp pH SC Fecal E.coli AMMONIA Total P P04 N03 TDS
(mg/L) (°C) (s.u) (mhos/cm) colonies colonies (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)
mean 6.71 20.9 7.45 526 70.3 89.8 0.02 0.045 0.011 0.1 308
min 4.39 14 7.08 451 36 31 0.02 0.02 0.005 0.02 284
max 9.02 26.2 7.8 560 97 276 0.02 0.07 0.03 0.29 324
Located one mile north of downtown Wimberley, this site is at the midpoint of the watershed, near rental cabins that are located adjacent to Cypress Creek. The cabins utilize OSF for wastewater treatment. There is moderate to heavy contact recreation activity. Channel width is approximately four meters. The average depth is one meter. Located five meters downstream of a riffle, the site resembles “run” characteristics. Secchi depth is always greater than the total depth. Conditions are significantly influenced by groundwater flows primarily from Eagle Fault and secondarily from Jacobs Well. Substrate and surface algae coverage has been minimal. Low dissolved oxygen values are observed. These values may be depressed due to groundwater flows.
Water chemistry values demonstrate “typical” conditions associated with significant groundwater flows:
· pH values are second lowest
· Specific conductivity values are second highest
· Dissolved oxygen values are low at times
· Indicator bacteria values are slightly increasing
· P04 and N03 are decreasing as dilution and assimilation occur
SITE NAME: CYPRESS CREEK UPSTREAM BLANCO RIVER
Site ID Number: 12673
Sample Order: 3 of 6
Stat D.O. Water Temp pH SC Fecal E.coli AMMONIA Total P P04 N03 TDS
(mg/L) (°C) (s.u) (mhos/cm) colonies colonies (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)
max 9.84 26.8 7.93 590 101 249 0.02 0.07 0.03 0.48 320
min 5.93 13.2 7.13 408 66 74 0.02 0.02 0.005 0.02 264
mean 7.89 20.13 7.7 520 84.6 125.7 0.02 0.053 0.012 0.11 289
Located in the lower portion of Cypress Creek, this site is fifty meters upstream of the confluence with the Blanco River. This area is moderately used for contact recreation and the predominant land use is residential. Channel width is approximately twenty-five meters. Sampling usually occurs on six meters from right bank in the centroid. The average depth is .3 meters. Secchi depth is always greater than the total depth. Substrate and surface algae coverage has been minimal. Low and high dissolved oxygen values are observed.
· Highest Cypress Creek pH values are observed
· Lowest Cypress Creek specific conductivity values are observed
· Dissolved oxygen values are low and high at times and positively correlate with water temperature
· Highest Cypress Creek indicator bacteria values are observed
· Lowest Cypress Creek P04 and N03 are observed
SITE NAME: BLANCO RIVER AT 7A RANCH
Site ID Number: 126663
Sample Order: 4 of 6
Stat D.O. Water Temp pH SC Fecal E.coli AMMONIA Total P P04 N03 TDS
(mg/L) (°C) (s.u) (mhos/cm) colonies colonies (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)
mean 7.73 19.89 7.75 483 27.6 42.6 0.02 0.03 0.013 0.24 285
min 5.04 9.75 7.25 366 12 4 0.02 0.02 0.005 0.02 268
max 11.00 28.00 7.98 532 44 185 0.02 0.08 0.031 0.69 300
Located in the “gaining” portion of the Blanco River, this is the most upstream Blanco River monitoring location. Located upstream of the low water crossing, the site exhibits “pool” characteristics with slow moving water that backs up behind the impoundment. This area is heavily used for contact recreation and water foul frequently reside. Monitoring and grab samples occur .3 meters upstream of the outfall channel at the centroid. Channel width is approximately twenty meters. The average depth is one meter. Secchi depth is always greater than the total depth. Minimal water movement and lack of riparian shading and the resulting temperature variances significantly influence conditions. Substrate and surface algae coverage has been minimal. Low and high dissolved oxygen values are observed.
· Highest Blanco River pH values are observed
· Highest Blanco River specific conductivity values are observed
· Dissolved oxygen values are low and high at times and positively correlate with water temperature
· Indicator bacteria values are low
· Slight increases in P04 and N03 are observed
SITE NAME: BLANCO RIVER AT RR12
Site ID Number: 12661
Sample Order: 5 of 6
Stat D.O. Water Temp pH SC Fecal E.coli AMMONIA Total P P04 N03 TDS
(mg/L) (°C) (s.u) (mhos/cm) colonies colonies (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)
mean 9.26 20.52 7.85 477.5 38.33 56.2 0.02 0.045 0.017 0.232 262.6
min 7.9 10.69 7.22 359 6 0.02 0.02 0.005 0.03 248
max 11.08 28.6 8.04 522 147 0.02 0.07 0.07 0.6 260
Located in the “gaining” portion of the Blanco River, this is the midpoint Blanco River monitoring location. This area is moderately used for contact recreation. Monitoring and grab samples occur at the centroid. Channel width is approximately twenty-five meters. The average depth is two meters. Secchi depth is always greater than the total depth. The site exhibits “run” conditions with swift moving waters. Substrate and surface algae coverage has been minimal. High dissolved oxygen values are observed and are likely due to strong flows. Numerous fish, snakes, turtles, birds, and people are often seen at this site.
· pH values are slightly increasing
· Specific conductivity values are slightly decreasing
· Dissolved oxygen values are low and high at times and positively correlate with water temperature
· Indicator bacteria values are slightly increasing
· Slight decreases in P04 and N03 are observed
SITE NAME: BLANCO RIVER AT CR 174
Site ID Number: 12660
Sample Order: 6 of 6
Stat D.O. Water Temp pH SC Fecal E.coli AMMONIA Total P P04 N03 TDS
(mg/L) (°C) (s.u) (mhos/cm) colonies colonies (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)
mean 9.13 20.7 7.89 464.3 22 48 0.02 0.04 0.014 0.22 257
min 7.05 10.45 7.33 345 3 4 0.02 0.02 0.005 0.03 248
max 10.9 29.7 8.08 531 52 152 0.02 0.08 0.06 0.55 264
Located in the “losing” portion of the Blanco River, this is the most downstream Blanco River monitoring location. This area is moderately used for contact recreation. Monitoring and grab samples occur at the centroid. Channel width is approximately twenty meters. The average depth is .5 meters. Secchi depth is always greater than the total depth. Substrate and surface algae coverage has been minimal. High dissolved oxygen values are observed and are likely due strong flow.
· pH values are slightly increasing
· Specific conductivity values are slightly decreasing
· Dissolved oxygen values are low and high at times and positively correlate with water temperature
· Indicator bacteria values are slightly decreasing
· Slight decreases in P04 and N03 are observed
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